Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Kilimotech is a social enterprise that seeks to enhance farmer productivity on their plots of land, to be a powerful force against food insecurity and poverty, to build pathways to prosperity in their families and their community.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Kilimotech will give farmers an opportunity to be productive on their plots of land for prosperity of millions of families by giving training (Advice on planting, crop, animal and soil health), Products (Seed and Fertiliser, trees and livestock), Services (Savings and credit, market linkages and agricultural insurance). The project is scalable, the more farmers we reach, the more cost-effective we are focusing on social return on investment where we aim to put more income in farmers' pockets for every dollar we shall spend. We aim to create impact among smallholder farmers who will choose to work with us because they will see growth in their crop yields and income.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Uganda is an agrarian country with a population of over 44.3 million. 76% of the population lives in rural areas and over 70% of the workforce is involved in agriculture. Extreme poverty is involved in one profession; farming, and most of the people living on less than $1 a day are farmers leading to limited access to quality inputs like seed, fertilizer, tools, Limited agricultural Knowledge, poverty and food insecurity. By giving farmers training, quality products and services we envision productive farmers and prosperous families in Uganda.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Kilimotech will significantly enhance farmers' productivity by providing comprehensive support. Through training, we will offer expert advice on planting, crop, animal, and soil health ensuring optimum agricultural production. On the other hand, supplying quality seeds, fertilizers, trees and livestock will boost yields and sustainability fostering food secure families. Our savings and credits services will empower financial stability while market linkages will ensure better sales and income thus alleviating poverty in communities.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Smallholder farmers most especially those in rural areas, they often bear the effects of climate change and environment deterioration thus pertinent to support them by increasing their resilience and adaptation to a changing climate through our valuable products and services.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

1. Atugumye Davis Pascal is a founder of Kilimotech, an agricultural professional with over 5 years of experience with a Bachelor degree of Science in Agriculture and a national Diploma in Agribusiness with a proven track record in implementing impactful projects, leading teams and utilizing agriculture principles for professional service. 2. Rose Mukonyezi, a 12 years experienced agricultural professional offering extension services across the coffee value chain. She holds a Bachelor of science degree in agriculture and she is passionate about women and youth development. Currently she is a rural development expert 3. Kusiima Samuel Kaheesi is an agroecology and rural development expert with over 20 years of experience. He is the founder and CEO at Glocal acquaintance. Holding a PhD in Environment and Natural Resource and an MSc in Ecology and Environmental Sustainability, He excels in leading teams and navigating agroecology issues. Currently he is the advisor of Kilimotech.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Through providing training on best agricultural practices, high quality seeds, fertilizers, livestock and access to financial services, farmers will achieve higher yields and better market prices hence reducing their vulnerability to financial shocks.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

By improving agricultural productivity, we will be able to ensure a steady supply nutritious of food through training small holder farmers on the best practices, we will help farmers increase crop yields and livestock productivity. Provision of high quality seed, fertilizers and livestock will enhance food production, while access to financial services and market linkages will ensure farmers produce and sell their produce sustainably. In addition, smallholder farmers will be supported in the planting of fruit trees which will boost their nutritional value thus improving their diet and the community at large. This comprehensive support ensures consistent access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food at all times.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Our comprehensive support will provide consistent access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food and reduce financial shocks contributing to good health and well being.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Our comprehensive support creates a more stable and rewarding employment, fostering decent work and economic growth in rural communities. By equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to improve their productivity and profitability, training programs, increasing access to quality products, financial services and market provides better income opportunities

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

We will train smallholder farmers on climate - smart techniques such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and efficient water use reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience and adaptation to climate change impacts while providing quality seed and livestock suited to local conditions will minimize resource waste and environment degradation. Additionally we shall support farmers with planting of trees to help sequester carbon, and also put more emphasis on soil health contributing to climate mitigation efforts while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers and families in communities.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

By promoting sustainable farming practices, like crop rotation and agroforestry which preserve soil health and reduce chemical use, provision of quality seed suited to the environment will enhance life on land. Through these initiatives, we shall ensure sustainable practices, protect natural resources and improve environmental resilience against challenges.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

We will partner with various stakeholders including local governments, NGO's, financial institutions and agricultural experts.These partnerships will enable us provide comprehensive support to smallholder farmers by combining resources, expertise and network to maximise impact. We will create synergies that drive sustainable development, reducing poverty and, promoting food security and economic growth.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

Firstly, kilimotech will supply farmers with all they need at the last mile to earn income signifying an impact building business model which provides opportunity for a holistic approach to enhancing farmers productivity and livelihoods as we address multiple facets of farming. This approach does not only boost yields but also ensures financial stability among farmers. In conclusion, our strong emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices sets us apart, fostering food secure, economic empower farmers and prosperity in communities.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Farm Africa, Twiga foods, Alliance for a green revolution in Africa (AGRA), and One Acre Fund are our main potential competitors. They offer agricultural products, have a high market reach, a high social impact and sustainability while a few of them have also integrated technology in running their products and services. Our edge over the competitors is deep local expertise, integrated services, community focus and technology solutions that have a high potential to boost farmer productivity and sustainability.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes, we shall provide targeted training programs that empower women with the skills and knowledge needed for successful entrepreneurship. Through our services, women will be able to access finaicial services, specifically designed to support women-led enterprises. We shall encourage female entrepreneurship and leadership fostering gender equality and economic empowerment within the community.